Welcome to the 2009 Awesome Library skills

Challenge!

Welcome to the 2009 Awesome Library skills

Challenge!

Question 1: What is fancy library language for search

words?

a) Keywordsb) Subject headingsc) Natural languaged) All of the above

d. All of the above

Although the term keywords may be fairly familiar, subject headings are

standardized terms used to organize databases, while natural language searching refers to the

use of familiar, informal keywords.Let’s take a look at the AHS Catalog.

Question 2: What’s the best way to develop a

keyword/subject heading list for your ISP?

a) Use library catalogs and databases

b) Ask your friendsc) Copy the pages on poverty in the

book Successful Keyword Searching

d) All of the above.

d. All of the above

And there are many more ways I’m sure! Let’s take a look at these

databases to show how they can help out:

SIRS DatabaseOpposing Viewpoints

Question 3: How can you tell if a web page is a legit

source for your ISP?

a) Ask your momb) Look for the green light on the

web pagec) Don’t worry so much about it and

use the site regardlessd) Do some work yourself and

evaluate the web site

d. Do some evaluating!

Check each page for the following:1. Authority2. Accuracy3. Objectivity4. Currency5. Presentation

Let’s do one together…

Question 4: How do you find a date of publication or last update

on a web page if it’s not apparent?

a) You don’t - it’s usually really hard to do.

b) Look for small print at the bottom of the page.

c) Use a sweet new skill your librarian is about to show you.

d) B & C

d. B & C

If the date of electronic posting is not clearly indicated, do check around the page, especially towards the bottom. If this fails, right click on the page and it will give you the

date it was last modified. (In Firefox click “view page info” and in IE click

“Properties”)

Question 5: How do you find a publisher of a web

page? a) Located in the upper-right corner.b) Located in fine print at the bottom

of the web page.c) Technically there is no publisher,

but rather an institution or organization that sponsors the site.

C. Technically…there is no publisher!

You will want to definitely try your best to identify the institution or

organization that sponsors the web page. If it’s not initially apparent or

in the small print, try taking portions off the web address

marked by backslashes.

Question 6: How can you identify bias in a web site?

a) By researching and becoming very familiar with your topic

b) By using the best resources available to conduct research

c) Hope that is none.d) A & B

d. A & B

The only way you will be able to identify media bias is if you become an expert on your topic and make sure to use the best of the best resources! There are several ways the media can influence

its audience including: bias by omission, bias by the selection of sources, and

bias by labeling.See these critical questions for

detecting bias.

Question 7: What can a librarian do for you during

your ISP?a) Give boring presentations and

ask you lots of questions when you’re trying to research.

b) Offer useful searching tips, help you find the best info as quick as possible, offer a second pair of eyes to read drafts for example.

c) A & B

c. A & B

Hopefully more B than A, but probably a combination of both.

Public Library Info: Poverty books are on reserve; ask Shelley for help!

Let’s look at a couple other helpful places from the AHS Library web site.